Hello Reader,

My darling Reader, I hope you are having a spectacular Friday.

I've been in a funk the last few weeks, why you ask? Not sure. As soon as I have something insightful to share about it. I will. But for now, if you feel like everyone on social media is shiny and perfect and your life is the only one that isn't, it's not true, because I'm with you 😉

On with the email...

Body Image is probably* going to grow in popularity, and why that's a bad thing.

Now, this might suprise you as someone who NEVER SHUTS the f*ck up about body image. I'm actually a bit nervous.

Why?

Because the Health and Fitness Industry is not regulated.

And I, as someone who is unblessed with 'colleagues' in my industry, am on my timeline posting absolute drivel.

Body Confidence, 'not hate yourself naked', 'finally feel good about yourself' 'stop emotional eating' 'stop talking to yourself like a dick' are all nice sentiments.

Now you'll be like, well, Rach, a lot of that shares sentiments with YOUR coaching, so what gives?

These coaches are using it as a means of selling their flimsy coaching frameworks. Aka counting calories or 'surfing the urge' of a craving. (Surfing the urge is legit, but that one skill isn't a 'solve' for emotional eating or managing cravings)

I say flimsy framework because, in full transparency, that used to be me! Qualified in Nutrition and arrogance, in another universe, that's the type of coach I would still be right now.

However, I am stubborn, obsessive, and accept nothing less than the best for my clients (and myself). I am not 'that guy'.

Now, rather than going into a long-winded explanation of why counting calories or surfing the urge alone won't 'fix you' at best or more likely will make you feel worse, citing papers and getting real nerdy, maybe another time, I want you to have some real tangible things to look out for so that you don't get hoodwinked.

If a coach uses BODY IMAGE or body confidence in their marketing, how can you tell if they're legit?

1. If they know a single thing about body image research, they WILL BE screening all clients for Body Image Concern. I do this with every single client. Every single client. Non-negotiable.
2. They won't have client transformation pictures plastered on their Instagram or website. Is fat loss inherently bad? No, it's not, but most* people need to put a pause on their dieting dreams, sort their body image out first, so why would I want to encourage you to want something that directly contradicts what is helpful to you? You already want it, and that's normal due to media messaging; I don't need to fan the flames.
3. You should be able to ask them what frameworks they use for all the claims they make. Body confidence? Okay, what Body Image trackers do you have? What worksheets? What's behind the curtain? Is 'body confidence' actually code for 'lose some weight to fit in societal standards'? Oh, it is? Right well, for that reason, Sharks, I'm out...
4. If their 'personalized' plan is just giving you a custom protein, carbohydrate, and fat target, they're not teaching you the skills you actually need to eat in a healthy way that supports you for the rest of your life. If stopping emotional eating is just tracking more, and they haven't screened you for body image concerns, you are in DANGER, girl. (Like real danger, not just haha you lost a lot of money on something ineffective)

I'm not telling you this to try and paint myself as the only person you should ever work with. HOWEVER, whether or not you ever work with me, if you're reading this, I have a vested interest and duty of care to ensure that you're well informed enough to make decisions that are GOOD for your health.

And not just good for some jackasse's bottom line.

We don't care about that.

I care about you having the tools to care for your body and mind so that you can live your biggest, boldest life.

We don't have the time for wheel spinning, marketing jargon with no evidence to back up their claims.

The above is not an exhaustive list, so what else have you come across on Instagram or TikTok claiming body image that you're suspicious about?

Reply to this email and I'll tell you if it's a toot or boot!

Speak soon,

​

xx Rach ​ ​​​​

Portland House Westfield Road, Leighton Buzzard, England LU7 9GU
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